Ratu Boko
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2014) |
Ratu Boko | |
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Sailendra or Mataram Kingdom |
Ratu Boko (Javanese: ꦫꦠꦸꦧꦏ, romanized: Ratu Baka) or Ratu Boko Palace (Javanese: ꦏꦣꦠꦺꦴꦤ꧀ꦫꦠꦸꦧꦏ, romanized: Kadhaton Ratu Baka) is an archaeological site in Java. Ratu Boko is located on a plateau, about three kilometres south of Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The original name of this site is still unclear, however the local inhabitants named this site after King Boko, the legendary king mentioned in Roro Jonggrang folklore.[1] In Javanese, Ratu Boko means "Stork King".
The site covers 16 hectares in two hamlets (Dawung and Sambireja) of the village of Bokoharjo and Prambanan,
History
According to writer HJ. DeGraff, in the 17th century there were many European travelers to Java, who mentioned that there existed an archeological site related to certain King Boko. In 1790, a Dutch researcher, Van Boeckholtz was the first to discover the archaeological ruins on top of Ratu Boko Hill. The hill itself is the northwestern branch of the
The 792 Abhayagiri Vihāra inscription is one of the few written evidences discovered in Ratu Boko site. The inscription mentioned Tejahpurnapane Panamkarana or
It seems that the compound was later converted to a hilltop fortress by a local landlord named Rakai Walaing Pu Kumbayoni. According to the
The Ratu Boko complex consists of gopura (gates), paseban, pools, pendhapa, pringgitan, kaputren (women's quarter), and meditation caves.
Archaeological remains
Ratu Boko stands 196 meters above sea level and covers an area of 250.000 square meters. It is divided into four parts, the central, the west, the southeast and the east. The central section of the compound consists of the main gates, a crematorium temple, a pool, a stone pedestal and the paseban (or audience hall). The southeast part covers the pendopo (attached open pavilion), balai-balai (public hall or building), three miniature temples, a pool and a walled compound popularly named by locals as kaputren (women's quarter).[1]
At Ratu Boko, traces of probable
Main gate
The first of three terraces is reached through a massive gateway built on two levels. On the western edge of this terrace is a high talud of soft white limestone. The second terrace, separated from the first by andesite wall, is reached through a gateway in paduraksa form consisting of three doors, a larger central one flanked by two of lesser dimensions. The third terrace, the largest, contains the richest concentrations of archaeological remains. Another talud and andesite wall separate the third terrace from the second terrace, with another connecting gateway of paduraksa form, this time consisting of five doors, again the central one having larger dimensions than the two which flank it.
It is read on the main gate Panabwara that was written by
Candi Batu Putih
Literally, Batu Putih means white stone. It is a structure made from white limestone on the north side of the first row of the gate on second terrace.
Candi Pembakaran
Beyond the second row of gates on third terrace, on the north side of the plateau there's a structure similar to the base part of the temple with two terraces about 26x26 m in size. On the center of upper terrace is an empty descending square hole. The building probably functions as crematorium to burn the corpses.
Paseban
On the plateau on the third terrace, beside the Candi Pembakaran, there are also several square stone structures. On the structures there are some umpak or stones which serve as the base for wooden columns with holes to support the pillars. These structures are highly suggested as the base of the building, since the pillars, wall, and roof are made from
Pendopo
On the second terrace on the southeast side of the plateau, lies the pendopo (audience hall). The pendopo is a square stone enclosure surrounded with andesite stone wall with the small paduraksa entrance gates in the north, west, and south sides. In the center of this walled enclosure there's a stone base formed by two separated terraces, the terrace on the southern side is smaller than the northern one. This terrace served as the base and floor of the wooden structure since there are some umpak or stones which serve as the base for wooden columns with holes, to support the pillars. Since the pillars, walls, and the roof were made from easily decaying material, such as wood, sirap (wooden shingles roof) or ijuk, none of it survived.[4] Only the stone bases still remain, while the organic wooden material of the building is gone.
Miniature temples
On the south side on the pendopo, there are three miniature temples with a square stone basin in front of it. This small temple probably served a religious purpose, as some kind of Hindu or Buddhist shrine in the Ratu Boko complex.
Kaputren and bathing place
On the eastern side of pendopo on the lower terrace, there are several andesite stone walled enclosures with paduraksa gates and a gallery leading to the several pools within. This structure is associated by local folks as kaputren (women's quarter), since the pool is believed to be the pleasure garden for king and his
One particular pool (or well) within the bath place is considered sacred by Hindu people called 'Amerta Mantana'. It is believed that the water of Amerta brings luck for anyone who uses it.
To the east of the pool there are two stone base structures, yet again probably the remains of a wooden building, of which only the stone base still remains. From this structure, overlooking a valley on the east side of Ratu Boko compounds, visitors can see
Ascetic Cave
At the northern part from pendopo, isolated from the rest of the site, lies two caves that were formed of sediment stones. The upper cave is called Gua Lanang (Male Cave) and the lower cave is called Gua Wadon (Female Cave). In front of Gua Lanang, there is a pond and three effigies. Based on the research, the effigy is known as
Buddhism and Hinduism
Ratu Boko site has yielded many smaller artefact including statues, both Hindu (
Functions
Despite the large quantity and variety of remains found there, the exact functions of Ratu Boko site is still unknown. Some believe it was the former palace of ancient Mataram Kingdom; other scholars interpret this site as monastery. While third group holds that it was a place for rest and recreation. Inscriptions shows that the site was occupied at least during the 8th and 9th centuries. Five inscriptions in pre-Nagari script and
The legend of King Boko
King Boko is a legendary character known from popular folklore of
Gallery
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Entrance to the site in late 2019, notice the excavated original path
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View from the upper gates
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The baths at the back of the complex
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d "The Majestic Beauty of the Ratu Boko Palace ruins". Wonderful Indonesia. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ISBN 981-3018-26-7.
- ISBN 979-501-098-0.
- ISBN 979-501-098-0.